Automatic air-brake-control mechanism



Afnmszs:

' F. N. JOHNSTON Y AUTOMATIC AIR `BRAKE QONTROL' MECHANISM Fn'ed Nov. s, 1924 B Y 5. #im

ATTORNEY latented Apr. 21, '1925,

unirse stares ieilfhlhlft QFFIQE.

FRANK N, JOHNSTON, OF CHEYENNE, WYOMING, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF IOv C. Y.

.Bl-EASE, Oft CHEYENNE, /VYGMING.

AUTOMATIC AIR-BRAKE-CONTROL MECHANISM.

, Application mea November 5, ieee. serial No. 747,930.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK `\l.`JoHNsfroN, a citizen of the United States ot America, residingat Cheyenne, county ot Laramie, State of Wlyoming, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Automatic Air-Brake-Control Mechanisms; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This inventionrelates to improvements in automatic air brake control mechanisms such as are vuniversally used in connection with railway rolling stock, the invention having for an objectto provide certain improveniente upon that type ot control mechanism described and claimed in my United States Patent numbered 1,498,381, whereby the passage ot compressed air therethrough into the air brake cylinders or into the train pipe line may be absolutely and automatically regulated to the required pressure to bring about an effectual braking operation.

lt is also an object of the invention to provide the braking control mechanism with automatic mechanical means operable upon failure ot the electrical valve actuating means to establish communication between `the air reservoir chamber of the mechanism and those pressure operable means jfor the valve means controlling passage ot air int-o the vbrake cylinder, whereby a. braking operation will be positively etected. y

Another/and equally important object ot the invention is to provide the apparatus i with a novel torm of regulating valve op erable with the application of a requisite air pressure thereupon to establish communication between the air reservoir and the train pipe line and with the establishing of such communication, tov maintain only the required pressure upon the braking cyl inder or cylinders.

lt is also among the aims and objects of the invention to provide the mechanism with means for positively preventing the socalled leaking on of the, air brakes by reason ot the accumulation, due to valve leakage, of air in the air reservoir or in the chamber receiving the pressure operable ,means of the regulating valve.

@ther objects of the invention will be in part obvious, and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative drawing, and inv the. detailed following description based thereupon, set out one possible embodiment of the same.

In this drawing, l have shown a vertical longitudinal section through the improved air brake control mechanism. n

Having more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters -otreferenoe will designate corresponding parts throughout, the improved air brake control valve mechanism may be stated to comprise a housing orv casing generally indicated by the numeral l, said housing being formed with openings in certain of its sides whereby to receive'removable plates 2 and 3; theseplates, in turn, being` secured in their respective positions vthrough the medium ot' bolts 4 or other suitable fastening devices. A nipple 5 is secured to one side vot the housing l adjacent a port 6 therein and receives one end of the main air brake pipe line 7 therein, while a port 8 is formed in one side ot the housing and is adapted to communicate, by way of a conduit or the like with an auxiliary air reservoir, not shown. Also, another port 9 is formed in that side oi. the housing l having the port 8 therein and is adapted to communicate with the air brake cylinder or cylinders ot the mechanism to be controlled by and operated from the improved apparatus.

A. screw threaded opening is formed in one side of the housing l and receives therein a cap-like cylinder l0, said cylinder being formed with an externally screw threaded extension and with a motion limiting flange 1l adapted, with turning of the screwthreaded portion of said cap into engagement with the opening in the housing l, to limit its extent of engagement with said housing as is clearly shown in the drawing. This cap-like cylinder 10, as Awill be noted, is provided with a cylindrical bore, the purpose of which will be subsequently described.

f nient' therewith, one end of which is formed By means of longitudinally and transversely partitioned walls generally indicated within the port 6 is a cylindrical sleeve 17.

having a plurality of relatively spaced series ot' perforations 18 and 19- formed therein, while a piston 2O is snugly and slidably received within the cylindrical sleeve 1`Taiid has a rod 21 extending therefrom, the free end ci which engages in a pocket formed in an adjacent portion of one of the partition walls, namely7 13. A disk 23 is iixedly mounted upon the lower portion of this piston rod 21 and is'adapted to be engaged' by the upper end or'V a helicalspring 24, the lower portion of which has bearing upon an adjacent portion ot' the longitudinal partition wall V12, said spring normally eX- erting an upward thrustupon the disk 23 aforesaid; y I

71th `a `View towards establishing' and -controlling communication between the pressure reservoir chambei' 14' and the chamber a: port is 'formed in the partition wall 1,2 as between theser two chambers and vhas a bushing or thiinble 25 `turned into engagewith a bevelledvalve seat adapted to receive a frusto-conical valve 2G therein, the upper end of the stem of this valve being connected'to the adjacent end of an armature i 27, the arm of which is pivotally mounted iii suitable bearings, as indicated at 28, said armature being adapted, at times, to be drawn into contact with an electro-magnet 29 arranged within the chamber lll andsecured to a portion of the under side oit' the plate 2 `as indicated iii the drawing. Suitable electrical conductors 3() are extended from the winding of this electro-magnet 29 and ai'e connected in a suitable electrical circuit` not shown herein. At this point, it may be noted that with eiiergizatioii of the electro-magnet 29, the armature 27 will assume that position as shown in the drawing, whereupon the rusto-conical valve 26 will engage upon its seat in the bushing'25 and thus serve to interrupt communication asbetween. the ychambers 1a and l5.` However, with deenergizatimiv of the magnet 29, the magnet engaging portion-ot the armature 27 willy drop away `from the magnet 29 and inv doing so, will Udisengage 'the truste-conical valve 26 from its seat in or upon thebushing 25T, thus establishing` communication as between the pressurereservoir chamber 14 and, the chamber 15.

A portion of-'apartition wall 12 dividing Vachamber'll fromI the chamber 16 is provided with an internally screw threaded opening receiving a cylindrical sleeve 3l therethrough, a portion of such sleeve being externally screw threaded while a flange 32 is formed thereon and serves to limit the extent of its engagei'uent with the screw threaded opening` aforesaid. `The upper end olf this cylindrical sleeve 3l is normally closed by means of a cap or cover plate upper portion thereof there is orineda series ot' relatively graduateddiagonally disposed ports generally indicated by the numeral 35',

the chamber 14 and the interior of the sleeve 31., Slid'ably received in the cylindrical `it being noted in this connection that these ports establish communication as between sleeve 3l is a valve 'llln'ovided with packe ing 37, said -valve having substantiallly` U-sliaped ports 38 formed therein, certainof the ends of which open onto Athe pcripl'ieral portion of thevalve, while thel opposite ends open onto the reduced lower end ot said valve as is shown in the drawings. A suitable stein 39 is provided, the `valve 36 passing longitudinally therethrough and llaviiig its upper end locked against disengagement, asindicated at 40, the opposite end portion oi said stein extending downwardly into engagement with` a piston al1 slidably mounted in the cylindrical bore of the cap 10, as indicated at 42. This piston t1 `is preferably provided with packing 4? for anobvious purpose, while a port le is liormedinone side wall thereof for a purpose which wil be subsequently described@ Communication between the chambers 15 and 1G is established by way of a pipe "or conduit 45, the opposite ends oi which are angularly bent and turned into engagement with suitably formed screw threaded openings iii the bottom of the cap l0 and in the plate 3 as shown. Thus. it Aiollows that with passage of air from the cliaiiibei" 14 into the chamber 15, such air will' pass from the. chamber 15 by way ot the pipe `415 into the cylindrical bore oi? the cap 10, exerting an upward pressure or thrust upon the pis-- ton e1 slidable therein.

At times, it is desired that the air directed into the chamber 15 from thereservoii"chamber 14 shall be exhaustedto the atmosphere and to accomplish this, a port is formed in the cover plate 5l ot said; chamber 15 and` receivesa suitable bushing or valve seat 46 therein the upper end of which is normally engagedby a frusto-conical valve 47 whose kstem is pivotally connected to the inter- `mediate port-ion of an armature d8 pivoted,

in turn, to a supporting bracket 49 rigidly mounted uponthe cover plate 3 within the chamber 15, as `indicated atO.v This bracket 49, in turn, has a right angularly bent arm .with a suitable electrical circuit not shown herein. Thus, with energization of the winding of the electromagnet it will be understood that the. armature 4S will be attracted into engageiiient therewith and in consequence, that the truste-conical valve 47 will be withdrawn `from the valve seat 46, thus permitting' air within the chamber 15 to be exhausted to the atmosphere.

l'n order to prevent the so-called leaking on l of the air brakes of a system equipped with the invention, l may and preferably do form diagonally disposed ducts 54 in the opposite sides of the cap 10, the inner ends of these chiots open onto the upper portion of the cylindrical bore within tliecap above thepiston 41, while another duct 55 is formed in a portion of the-cap 10 and is adapted to have the inner end thereof normally aligned with the port 44 formed in the piston 41. Since these ducts 54 and 55 open onto the outer side or peripheral portion of the cap 10, it will be understood that any air accumulating` within the chamber 16 or underneath thevpiston`41 and owing into the cylindrical bore of the cap 10 by way of the pipe 45, will be immediately exhausted therefrom and in consequence, will serve to` prevent movement of the valve 36 as well as the passage of airvt'rvo-m the chamber 16 through the port 9 into thebrake or braking cylinders.

T he modus operandi `of the improved mechanism may be stated to be as follows The mechanism is connected by way of the conduit 7 to the air line ot the air braking system includinpr the same and the normal pressure directed into the port 6 will besuch as to force the piston 20 dowi'iwardly against the tension of the spring 24 vand the pressure of air within the chamber`14 to that position as shown in the drawing, thus un- 'covering` the several spaced series of ports 19 in the sleeve 17 and permitting communication to be establishedas between said conduit 7 and the chamber 14. vThe port 8 is, as hereinbet'ore stated, connected to a suitable auxiliary air reservoir not shown. The

n electro-magnet 29 is normally energized and thus causes the trusto-conical valve 26 connected to its armature 27 to normally remain in closed position. When. however, it is desired to apply the brake controlled by my invention, the electromagnet 29 is deener- 4gized. thus permittinpgthe valve 96 to be moved to its open position with respect to the bushing' setting up communication as betweeiithe chambers 14 and 15. The compressed air passing from the chamber 14 into the chamber 15 will then flow by way of the pipe 45 into the lower part of the cylindrical bore oit' the cap 10 exerting' an upward thi-ust to the piston 41 slidable in said bore and by consequence, effecting upward movenient ot the valve 36 in the cylindrical sleeve, thereby bringing' the upper ends of the U- sliaped ports into communication with certain ot the graduated diagonally disposed ports and permitting' compressed air to pass through these ports 35, the port 38, dmvnwardly through the constiicted and open lower end of the cylindrical sleeveSly into the chamber 16- from whence it will pass by way ot the port 9 into the air brake cylinder. lith proper application of the brakes to release the same, the electro-magnet 29 is reenergized, thus closing; the valve 26 with respect to the bushing 25 and the electro-magnet 52 is then energized drawing the armature 48 into engagement therewith and in consequence, opening the valve 47 with respect to the valve 46. At this time, air in the chamber 15 and in the lower portion ot the cylindrical bore of the cap v10 and the pipe will be permitted to pass or eX- liaust into the atmosphere; thus, with release of pressure upon the piston 41, said piston will return to its lowermost andnormal position within the cylindrical bore of the cap 10, disconnecting' the ports 3S of the valve 36 from the ports 85 in the cylindrical sleeve 31 and therebypreventing any further passage of compressed air from the reservoir chamber 14 into the chamber 16 and thence by way of the `port 9 into the air brake cylinder attached or connected thereto.

It will bey noted at this point th at the leakage ducts 54 and 55 will prevent the so-called leakingr on of the air brakes connected to the improved mechanism herein described. For instance. should there be any accumulation ot air inthe lower portion of the cylindrical portion of the bore of the cap 10 lor in the chamber 16 byreason of 'faulty valve seating. such air will be immediately exhausted to the atmosphere by way ot these ducts 54 and 55, it being borne in mind that the inner ends of the ducts 54 communicate with the cylindrical bore of the cap 10 above the normal positioning` of the piston 41 and thus with the chamber 16. while the duct 55 communicates with the port 44 formed in one side wall oit the piston 41. Thus, undethus deenergizing the same and permitting the valve 26 to be moved to 1ts open position, whereupon air pressure to the extent of 25 pounds would be admitted to the chamber 15. When the desired pressure `has been attained, the magnet 29 would be reenergized, thus closing the port 26 and interrupting communication as between the chamber andthe chamber 14. This pressure of pounds would be sufficient to cause the piston 41 to rise, thus bringing the ports 38 ofthe valve 36 into contact with the ports in the cylindrical sleeve 31 and allowing air to pass from the reservoir vchamber 14 intothe chamber 16 and from thence to the ports 9 to the `brake cylinder. If, 'for any reason, there should ybe a leak which would servev to lessen the pressure in the chamber 16 connected with the brake cylinder through the ports 9, the pressure in the chamber 19 andin the lower portion of the bore of the cap 10, that is, below the piston 41, would cause said piston 41 to raise the valve 36 and establish communica tion as between the chambers 14 and 16,-

respect to said sleeve, that is, they are ar# ranged in a variedfline of height. All brake cylinders are not uniform. Some of them have a piston travel ofY four inches, some `six inches, and still others eight` inches. Each brake cylinder will assume the'same amount of air pressure in the same lapse of time and at the first instant when the brake application is made, the piston 41 'will move the valve 36 upwardly to its extreme open orl top position, allowing the compressed air to flow through all of the ports 35, into theports 38 and from thence into the chamber 16. However, as the time of application of the brakes begin, the brake cylinder with the four inch f pistontravel will cause the pressure in the chamber 16 to increasefaster than it would with a brake cylinder having a sixinchor an eight inch piston travel. Since, however, the ports 35 aregraduated in size and are at variable heights or diagonal relationship with respect tothe cylindrical sleeve 31, it will be seen that as the pressure increases on the upper side ofthe piston 41, it willcause the same to bevforced downwardly more rapidly in the case of the brake cylinder` with the four inch piston travel than it wouldY on t-he brake cylinder having a six inch or an eight inch piston travel. Therefore, it` will be understood that as the pressure in the chamber 15 and the pressure in the lower -portion ofthe cylindrical bore ofthecapl() below the piston 41 remains constant, the difference. in travel of the various `brake cylinder pistons connected to the mechanism is taken care of by keeping a pressure of air in the chamber 16 uniform.

In event that any of the electrical conductors 30 or 53 connected to the `electromagnets 29 or 52 become broken or there is any failure of the electrical circuit includ- .ing the same,` it is to` be understoodthat a chamber 16 by wayof the valve 36. i At the same time, the deenergizati on of the. electromagnet 52 which isits normal condition, would causethe frusto-conical valve 47 to remain in its closed position, thus prevent` ing the escape ofair from` the chamber 15 into. the atmosphere.

Should, for any` reason, the` train pipe line connectedby way ofthe conduit 7 tothe port6 become brokenV and permit the esca e ofv air pressure to the atmosphere, then tlie pressure of air in the chamber 16 from the auxiliary air tank connected to the. port 8` wouldibe sufficient to exert an upward thrust to, the piston 18, thereby moving the same to its uppermostpositionabove the upper-1 mostr series of circular ports 19, hence,1nter rupting communication as betweenfsaid conduit 7 `and the chamber 14. Also, atthis point, it should'be stated that the disk 23 arranged upon the piston rod 21 would, with upward movement ofsaid rod, contact with the adjacent end of the armature 27, thereby moving the same upwardly and permitting communication to be established as between they reservoir chamber 14 and the a chamber 15, allowing air to pass from the chamber 15 by way of the conduit 45 into engagementwiththe pistonI 41 and operating said pistonso as to establish communi-` cation between ther chambers 14 and 16v` whereby to effecty application of the air brake cylinder or cylinders connectedto the port 9. In this connection, it is to be noted that the lower series of ports 19 formed in lthe sleeve 17 is smaller thanthe upper series of ports and in consequence, theyrwill serve to restrict the passageof air therethrough with raising of the piston 18, thus facilitating. upward movement of said iston 18 to its uppermost positionwvhereat oth sets of ports will be closedv and communicationbetween the conduit 7 and the port 6 interrupted.

Manifestly, the. construction shown is .Capable of cQnsiderable modification and` yes such modiiication as is within the scope of my claims I consider withiny the spirit of my invention.

I claim l. In an air brake control mechanism, a

housing interposed between the train pipe line and the air brake mechanism, said housing being divided intol a plurality of chambers, valve means between certain oi said chambers for controlling communication therebetween, other valve means arranged between certain others of the chambers for controlling the passage of air from one of said chambers into the other and to the air brake mechanism, and pressure actuated means in said last mentioned chamber connected to the last mentioned valve means for effecting operation thereof.

2. In an air brake control mechanism, a housing interposed between the train pipe line and the air brake mechanism divi-ded into a` plurality of chambers, automatically operable valve means .between certain of said chambers for controlling communication therebetween, other valve means arranged between certain others of the chambers for controlling the passage of air from one of these chambers into the other and from the latter chamber into the air brake mechanism, and pressure operable means in said last vmentioned chamber communicable with another of the chambers Yfor effecting movement ot' said last mentioned valve means to its opened and closed positions.

3. In an air brake mechanism, a housing interposed between the train pipeline and the air brake mechanism dividedinto a plurality of chambers, electrically operable valve means for controlling communication between certain of said chambers, automatic mechanical valve means arranged between ,certain others of the chambers for establishing communication therebetween whereby to permit the passage of air from one of these vchambers to the other and to the air brake mechanism, and pressure operable means kin said other chamber communicable with another of the chambers for effecting movement or" said last mentioned valvey means `as and for the purpose set forth. y

4:. In air brake mechanism, a housing interposed in the train pipe line and adjacent thev air brake mechanism, said housing being divided into a plurality of chambers, automatically operable. valve means for controlling communication between certain of said chambers, other automatically operable valve means between certain others of said chambers for controlling communication therebetween to permit tne flow of from one into the other and to the air brake mechanism, pressure operable means communicating with said other chamber and with one of Said rst mentioned chambersfor transmitting motion to said other automatic valve vmeans for moving' the same to opened and closed positions, and other valve means arranged in one of said chambers operable at times to permit the exhaustion of air therefrom into the atmosphere. v,

5. In air brake mechanism, a housing interposed between the air pipe line and the air brake mechanism, said housing being divided into a plurality of chambers, valve means for controlling communication between certain ot said chambers, andpressure operable valve means arranged between certain others of the chambers for controlling and regulating communication therebetween, one of said certain otherchambers and one of the first mentioned chambers being inter-communicating. y

6. In air brake mechanism, a housing interposed between the air pipe line and the air bra-ke mechanism, said housing being 'i divided into a plurality of chambers, valve means between cert-ain ofsaid chambers for controlling communication therebetween at times, pressure operable valve means arranged between certain others o said chambers for establishing communication therebetween, said pressure operable means communicating with and being operable from one of the first mentioned' chambers, and other valve means in one of said first mentioned chambers for controlling the exhaustion of air therefrom into the atmosphere at times.

7. Air brake control mechanism comprising a housing interposed inthe air pipe line and adjacent the air brake mechanism, said housing being divided into a plurality of chambers, electrically operable valve means for controlling communication' between 'certain of sai-d chambers, ypressure operable valve means arranged between certain others of said chambers for controlling the `passage of `air from one. into the other, said pressure operable valve means communicating with and being operable from one oitsaid'v lirst mentioned chambers, and electrically operable valve means arranged in one of said chambers for permitting the exhaustion of air therefrom into the atmosphere at times.

8. In air brake mechanism, a. housing interposed between the air pipe line and the air brake cylinder, said housing being divided intoa plurality oi' chambers, automatically operable valve means for controlling communication between certain of said chambers, a cylindrical sleeve interposed between certain others of said chambershaving a plurality of graduated ports formed therein at diderent heights, a valve having ports formed in the same slidably received in said sleeve, said first mentioned ports communicating with one of the chambers, and the ports in said Valve communicatngjwith said first' mentioned ports and with the opposite chamber, means for establishing 'communication' between certain of said chambers, `and pressure operable` means in one ofsaid chambers connected to said slidable valve. e

9. In air brake mechanism, a housing interposed between the air pipe line and the air brake cylinder, said housing being divided into -a plurality ofchambers, automatically operable valve means for controlling communication betweenv certain of said chamb`ers,5a sleeve interposed between certain other ofsaid cl1ambers, said sleeve havi'ng a plurality @f gra'duated ports formed aboutthe same at Adierent heights and the lower end of said 'sleeve communicating with the adjacent chamber, a portedvalve slidably received in saidfsleeve, means for establishing communication between cert-ain of said first and second-mentioned chambers,

`pressure operable means in one of said chambers connected to said ported valve, and automatic valve means in another' of said chambersy for permitting the exhaustion of air therefrom into the atmosphereat times.

10.. ln air brake mechanism, ahousing interposed between the lair pipe 'line'fand the air brake cylinder, said housing. being divided into av plurality of chambers, valve means for automatically establishing 'com- A,munication between certain of said' chambers, a sleeve interposed 'between` certain Vothers of said chambers havinga plurality olf-"graduated" portsformed in the same at vdifferente heights and communicating' with 4one ofthe aforesaid chambersthe lower end of Isaid sleeve communicating with thejadj acent chamber, a ported valve slidably received'fin said sleeve adapted to have the ports thereof communica-'te'at times with said lgraduated ports, `a piston snugly received and mounted forv movement'in one of said chambers below said sleeve and vconnected to the valve therein, and other Vautomatically operable valve meansin one of said chambers forexhausting 'air therefrom'into the atmosphere, 'at times. Y

ll. In air brake mechanism, a housing interposed between the air pipe line and the airbrake cylinder, said housing being divided into a plurality of chambers,"automatically operable valve means 'between certain of saidchambers for controlliiig communication therebetween, pressure operable valve means arranged between certain others of said chambers for controlling communication therebetween, certain of the chambers lofthe several group of chambers inter-'communicating, and `automatically operable val-ve means positioned adj acent 'the pointof connection of the housin'gvith the 'air pipe linev operable with reduction of pressure `thereto from said air pipe lineto interrupt sucli communication.

bers inter-communicating, and other prese sure operable 'valve means 'arrangedy in 'the housing `adjacent its point of commnnicatibn with the air pipe line operablewith reduc tion of pressure thereonto "from 'the airpipe line for interrupting communicationas between such air pipe `linean'd `Ythe housing, and other automatically operable valve means vinone ofsaidchambers for permit ting the exhaustion of Jair therefrom into the 'atmosphere at times.

terpos'ed between the air pipe line and the e air brake cylinder', said housing being "divided :into a plurality of `chambers,electrically operable valve means arranged between-certain of'said Acylinders for controlling communication therebetween, a cylindrical sleeve arranged 'between lcertain others ofsa'id 'chambers having a Aplurality of graduated ports formed therein at different points about its peripheral surface `comlrlunicatin'gwithone ofsaid chambers andits lower end `constric'ted and :open and `communicating with4 the adjac'entchamber, aiported valve slidably received'in said sleeve,Y a piston connected 'tosaid ported valve and workable in said `adjacent chamber for transmitting motion A"to said valve atV times, said aidjalcent chamber 'and another of the 'chambers inter-communicating, a `pressure operable valve arranged in the-housingadjaoent its point `of communication with the air 'pipe line and operable `with ythe reduction 4offpressure thereonto from Asaid `air pipe line "to `interrupt communicationras between, such air pipe line andthe housing, andotherelectri-` cally 'operable valve means in one ofsaid chambers for permitting the exhaustion of ico yio

said adjacent chamber communicating with the air brake cylinder, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said adjacent chamber adapted to receive air pressure directed thereto from one of said other chambers, portions oi the Walls ol' ythe adjacent chanoloers having air escape ducts formed therein and communicating with the same at points above and below the normal positioning oi said piston and with the atmospherel another pressure operable valve in the houaring adj a- Cent its point of communication with the air pipe line operable with reduction of air pressure thereonto for interrupting` communication between said air pipe line and the housing7 and other electrically operable valve means in one of said chambers for per n'iitting eXha-ustion of air therefrom into the atmosphere.

ln witness whereof l have hereunto set 20 my hand. i

FRANK N. JOHNSTON. 

